“[W]e form a separate colony of people with different views of life, distinct habits, and different interests and necessities.”

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“I left my farm where I was working when I was told we were to be transferred to another power without being consulted. I will fight for the last until we get a representative Government. I want not your money, and when our point is gained, I will go back to my farm again.”

“[M]anifestly, we have to form a Government in order to secure the safety of life and property, and establish a feeling of security in men’s minds, and remove a sense of apprehension that it is not desirable should continue for a moment. How often have we not, on our side, expressed a fear as to the security of property and life. It is our duty to put an end to this, and it will be our glory as well as our duty.”

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“If we enjoy today our full autonomy as a province in the Confederation, we owe it to Riel and his wise councillors. History will acknowledge him as a far-sighted patriot who secured representation for Western Canada.”

This entire site is under construction in that I am in the process of writing and editing entries and doing so online. Thus content is being sorted and refined ‘right before your eyes.’ The ever-expanding sidebar to the right is the most up-to-date indication of what is currently available at this site.

My basic thesis, which has directed this compilation of content, is:

The issue of what form of government the people of Assiniboia would have after union with Canada was fundamental to the Resistance.

Annexation of Rupert’s Land (as a dependent and subject territory, not as a political partner) was Canada’s initial plan. Confederation (joining the initial confederation of 1867 as a province with representation in the House of Commons) was an outcome of the Resistance.

There were approximately 11,999 people at Red River Settlement during 1869-1870 who were not Louis Riel; women made up roughly half of the population; and children (under the age of 21) about 60 percent.